By Sue Curry Jones
The Ava Board of Aldermen adopted an ordinance to amend parking designations at the intersection of North Jefferson and 5th Avenue Tuesday evening during regular session of city government. The revised ordinance, which goes into play immediately, extends the no parking zones on the east and west sides of North Jefferson Street near Ava High School. The new designation deters parking north of the intersection of 5th Avenue and Jefferson Street for 150 feet on both sides of the thoroughfare.
This change was recommended by MoDOT and will be enforced by the City of Ava Police department. Violators will be ticketed and fined $10 for the first offense, $15 for the second, and $20 for the third and subsequent offenses.
The ordinance was adopted by a unanimous vote of the board.
At the request of Police Chief Reggie Johnson, council members approved hiring Haden Adamson, of Mansfield, to serve as part-time on-call dispatcher for the Ava police department. In the position, Adamson will serve as back-up and dispatch only when needed.
An ordinance to amend zoning designation on a parcel of property located south of the Trinity Lutheran Church north of Ava was approved. The area was described as parcel #6 positioned south of the church and east of Highway 5. Originally listed as agricultural, the site was changed to general business. The property is owned by JQ Leasing, LLC.
Janice Lorrain, director of planning & development, noted city personnel had recently discovered a conflict in residential guidelines for accessory buildings or sheds placed on personal property. In the code, the city had two different setback requirements in the ordinance book.
Lorrain explained city employees have always followed Section 110-221, a segment entitled Accessory Buildings, which stipulates a five-foot setback as the guideline for shed and storage building placement on personal property.
The city also has a section called Residential Density Requirements, Section 110-122, which delineates a different number, and an impracticable setback of 20 ft.
In response to the error, Lorrain asked council’s permission to correct the ordinance and present it for approval at the next meeting. The board concurred.
Referencing the setback issue, Lorrain said two different residential homeowners had been cited recently for accessory building infractions.
Mayor Eddie Maggard presented the council with a proposal from Collect-A-Debt, of Lee’s Summit, Mo., an agency recommended for the collection of unpaid balances on utility accounts.
Maggard said too many city residents are leaving without reconciling their account balance at city utilities, and the city should try to recoup some of these outstanding funds.
Administrative Director Peggy Porter added that the collection firm requires a $10 fee for each account, up to 250 accounts. The initial cost for the city is $2500; however, the firm’s success rate on collections is 200% or $5,000, an amount that readily covers the up-front expense. In the event a debt remains unpaid, the agency will also file a negative status report on the individual’s credit history.
Council approved the proposal with stipulations: agency references are checked and found to be clear and satisfactory, and agency tactics adhere to the law.
Park Director Sherry Wallace provided an update on park soccer leagues which are in the third-week of games. Wallace said the league lasts for four weeks with a fifth-week reserved for tournament play.
Council approved the municipal court docket as presented by City Attorney Larry Tyrrell. The board also approved the payment of bills.
Council members present for the meeting were Burrely Loftin, Ric Engelhardt and Billy Long. Judy Lovan was absent.
The Ava Board of Aldermen will convene again on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 5:00 p.m. at City Hall. The public is welcome to attend.
